Is the Cabana on CC Actually Worth the Money?

[AndrewsMurphy]

We were silver on fantasy when we got ours. So yeah it is harder to get but happens. Also if is not uncommon if you the first or even second family on the waitlist to get a cabbana as people cancel or the ones they hold don't get booked. (i've been told they hold 1 or 2 back each cruise for concierge who change their mind or VIP who may ve on board.

How do you get on a waitlist?

 

[Trera]

How do you get on a waitlist?

Go to guest services as soon as you are in board. Tell them you want to be added to the list.

 

[Bettyscruise]

We cruise to be pampered, so for us the answer is "yes". If you can afford one, they are a nice luxury. If you can't then enjoy the rest of the island and have fun.

 

[AndrewsMurphy]

Go to guest services as soon as you are in board. Tell them you want to be added to the list.

Got it. Thanks

 

[Neptune's Fork]

I, personally, do not find it to have the value that should go with that price.

I had a VERY hard time leaving the cabana, because we had paid for it, but I really didn't like the cabana all that much. the inside of it (especially as I was changing from my 5K clothes into a swimsuit) was hot and muggy. The outside...the loungers had cloth-covered cushions, which just gross me out to think about all the sweat and whatever else might be on those cushions.

My son liked the hammock, but spent about 10 minutes in it.

Husband and son used the mats and I think snorkeled but for some reason I just couldn't deal with leaving the cabana. The mats and snorkeling are such a small price compared to the cost of the cabana that I couldn't wrap my head around using them. DS couldn't ride a bike well at that point (but was too big to have training wheels) so we didn't use that.

Because of that, I couldn't like it. $200 less and it would have been fine for me.


But...Castaway is my 2nd fave private island out there (should I ever be invited by Richard Branson to his island I'm sure it would be bumped to 3rd), even when just finding some loungers and maybe an umbrella. I don't need a hammock (my skin marks up way too much for the rope hammocks!). Get off the ship, do the not-quite-a-5K, run back to clean up and grab breakfast and meet DS and DH (who slept in so they are more cheerful), head to the island, get in the water a little bit, put on my 30spf, and lounge all day. DH is generally kind enough to bring us lunch. Ah, nice day.

I don't need a cabana there. If I had liked it more I would say it's gilding the lily, but having the cabana just added stress (must enjoy it 100% of the time and have ALL the fun!!!!) for me so it was almost a negative for me.

(DH and DS do not have the same issues and will be sorely disappointed should we cruise DCL again, because their personal in-house TA won't be trying for a cabana)

What's your favorite private island?

 

[petrola]

We think so. It is for all day. It really depends what you think Many will pay $100+ Per person for twenty minutes with a dolphin, just depends what you want to spend your money on.

Exactly this. I do believe everyone has their "thing" that they are fine spending money on. For some it's cars, fashion, purses, jewelry, whatever. For others it's travel. They don't want to worry about what they are spending on that special vacation. For my family, it was definitely worth getting the cabana. We did split with another family of four so there were 8 of us in total ( 4 adults and 4 children) but definitely worth it. Beach is much less crowded and it's just nice and relaxing to have a place to lounge, keep your drinks cold etc. A bit of a luxury I guess, but happy we were able to do it! We will be on the Fantasy in December and will be renting a cabana again (hopefully)

 

[over50visits]

Bowl of potato chips, energy bars, fresh fruit
Stocked fridge with cold drinks and water
Electric wall plugs (for example, plug in to recharge your electronics)
Suntan lotion
Private hammock
Personal float tubes
Snorkeling equipment rental
Bike rental included
Nearby shower (right outside)
Magazines
Facial tissue
Trashcan
Hanging closet
Cocktail table, sofa, two chairs inside
Call button for attendant
Overhead fan
Privacy curtains over windows
Plates
Private beach in family cabana
There is a safe in them, just as in your onboard cabin.
You can eat lunch there (table and chairs). Your host might give you a ride to/from the buffet.
There is a changing curtain for get into/out of swimwear
A drink host will come and take your order for alcoholic drinks and bring them to you.
They provide a plate of cold, wet towels. Great for cleaning/cooling off.
Lot of chairs inside and out (on the porch) for relaxing
Once at the end of the day, our host took us from our cabana to the ship's reboarding point in his golfcart. Wow!

 

[Dug720]

Snorkel and bike is Family Beach cabanas.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Snorkel and bike is Family Beach cabanas.

We get a cabana on Serenity Bay every year and it includes 1 hr. bike rental. DH was told he could use the bike as long as he likes. We bring our own snorkel gear so not sure if included.

The cabana is for us is so worth it!

 

[Trera]

The cabana is for us is so worth it!

Worth it for us every time

 

[bumbershoot]

Family size can make a difference in perceived value! There's only the three of us.

1. Safe to store valuable

Our safe didn't work. We got Ashley out and he got he maintenance guy out and they said it was fixed and went away. It wasn't fixed at all. That was another reason that I stayed at the cabana most of the day.

Free sunscreen,

Only works if you can deal with the sunscreen products they supply. I really only remember the aerosol stuff and that kills my lungs.

Dedicated server for drinks

In our case i only wanted an adult beverage once, we were on the beach at the time, and it took him ages to get to us (and I think he only came by because of the ritzy family next to us who had a big concierge room and had the cabana for both days of our double dip) and when he came back the drink was all melted. I could have gotten that service on the normal beach.

We cruise to be pampered, so for us the answer is "yes". If you can afford one, they are a nice luxury. If you can't then enjoy the rest of the island and have fun.

That's the thing; I didn't feel pampered at all.

What's your favorite private island?

Coco Cay. Royals island. It had all these little inlets so once you find your spot you don't see the whole long beach spread out. It's just the group in your inlet. Felt a lot more cozy to me instead of "and here's all the residents of the ship lazing on loungers". Coco does have issues like the whole tendering thing. We were very lucky that our weather was good. Though I hear more and more that they are working to build a dock. Fingers crossed!

That said, Castaway was where I learned that I actually AM a beach person. So it definitely holds a special place in my heart. (Just not the cabana lol)

 

[mevelandry]

Family size can make a difference in perceived value! There's only the three of us.



Our safe didn't work. We got Ashley out and he got he maintenance guy out and they said it was fixed and went away. It wasn't fixed at all. That was another reason that I stayed at the cabana most of the day.



Only works if you can deal with the sunscreen products they supply. I really only remember the aerosol stuff and that kills my lungs.



In our case i only wanted an adult beverage once, we were on the beach at the time, and it took him ages to get to us (and I think he only came by because of the ritzy family next to us who had a big concierge room and had the cabana for both days of our double dip) and when he came back the drink was all melted. I could have gotten that service on the normal beach.



That's the thing; I didn't feel pampered at all.



Coco Cay. Royals island. It had all these little inlets so once you find your spot you don't see the whole long beach spread out. It's just the group in your inlet. Felt a lot more cozy to me instead of "and here's all the residents of the ship lazing on loungers". Coco does have issues like the whole tendering thing. We were very lucky that our weather was good. Though I hear more and more that they are working to build a dock. Fingers crossed!

That said, Castaway was where I learned that I actually AM a beach person. So it definitely holds a special place in my heart. (Just not the cabana lol)

Wow, that is not good. Did you complain to guest services or to Disney Cruise Line afterwards? Were you compensated?

p.s.: When was your trip? (Hope they fixed the problems!)

 

[jlemieu1]

My 2 cents. I really like the family cabanas if we are not sailing alone. Just the 2 of us it was fun to try out. But it was great for when we brought my mother and my brother's mother-in-law. It did rain almost all day which gave us a cool spot to hang out dry on the almost empty CC(plus we were not charged because we only has 2 hours without rain). 6 cruises in concierge and we only got it 2 times.
I would say the biggest factor is your budget. They are right that most are booked up by concierge and Platinum's. Concierge will book the cabana or you instead of doing the midnight website thing. But if you keep searching you have a chance of getting one. Get on the wait list with DCL or GS on ship. Also they can be canceled up to a couple days before the cruise.

 

[hardis5]

Value for the money is all perception. If we are spending $5-10K for 2 cabins for a 7-day cruise for 4-6 (depending on the time of year and itinerary) IMHO I would not question the value of a cabana available for our dedicated use for the entire day - we would definitely try and get one.

We sailed twice without having/getting one and rationalized it was a lot anyway for what one gets. Our 3rd cruise (Concierge) we had one when only a parents cruise and we became converts to my opinion above. We've since had one on 2 more sailings since (snagging 1-3 weeks prior to sailing) and now see the value of as an enjoyable addition to our time on Castaway.

Smaller families of 3 or 4 could price share if they wanted to reduce the cost of but for us it is our own dedicated spot in paradise on a semi-private beach with all amenities available at our disposal within the cost.

 

[cheapster316]

It was worth every penny. We were waitlisted and I loved having a spot in the shade. I loved the wet cool towels, fresh fruit and cold drinks.
We are not beach people. We do not like sitting in the sun all day. This gave us shade, a place away from sand in everything.
The beach was so not crowded, when we first got there several families used the water. After lunch for at East an hour my family was the only one in the water. It was great.
The sunscreen may have changed, we were there at the end of January and 2 brand new bottles were in the bucket. Spray and lotion.

 

[Trera]

It was worth every penny. We were waitlisted and I loved having a spot in the shade. I loved the wet cool towels, fresh fruit and cold drinks.
We are not beach people. We do not like sitting in the sun all day. This gave us shade, a place away from sand in everything.
The beach was so not crowded, when we first got there several families used the water. After lunch for at East an hour my family was the only one in the water. It was great.
The sunscreen may have changed, we were there at the end of January and 2 brand new bottles were in the bucket. Spray and lotion.

We agree!

 

[ChicosWife]

We love the cabana and would do it every time. We find the following the best benefits:
1. Safe to store valuables
2. Hammock
3. Free sunscreen, sand toys, rafts, snorkel gear and bikes
4. Private plane to eat lunch
5. Fridge with cold drinks, waters, fruit and chilled towels
6. Privatish beach that isn't crowded.
7. Dedicated server for drinks
8. Lots of fresh clean towels.
9. Fresh water rinse off shower
10. Place to get out of the sun or rain
11. Cushioned seating where our DD can take a nap.

Can't wait to have one on both legs of our upcoming B2B!

All these amenities sound awesome! Plus, I think it is a great place for the parents to sit and relax, while watching the kids go play in the beach and not be surrounded by 100 other kids nearby!

We were silver on fantasy when we got ours. So yeah it is harder to get but happens. Also if is not uncommon if you the first or even second family on the waitlist to get a cabbana as people cancel or the ones they hold don't get booked. (i've been told they hold 1 or 2 back each cruise for concierge who change their mind or VIP who may ve on board.

Is the waitlist only for concierge level or can anyone get on it?

 

[Trera]

Is the waitlist only for concierge level or can anyone get on it?

Anyone

 

[ChicosWife]

Anyone

Good to know. I am only a silver level, so it sounds like my chances are slim to even getting one, but it's worth a try and something to look forward to, if I happen to snag one.

 

[over50visits]

Snorkel and bike is Family Beach cabanas.

Not in our experience. There is a bike rental at SB, and we get bikes there at no charge every time. Also, we have used the snorkel at the FB for free by showing our Cabana wristbands.